PHF-PM March 20 meeting doubtful

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) remains uncertain about the meeting with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which is scheduled for March 20, ‘The News’ has learnt.
No one in the PHF has so far confirmed that the meeting would be held on March 20.
All Pakistan hockey team members are already in Islamabad to attend the training camp for the preparation of qualifying rounds of Rio Olympics 2016.
The PHF officials and members of the team have been are demoralised due to half a dozen postponements of the me­eting that were scheduled before, sources said.
They added that PHF was making no preparation for the meeting with the PM.
Pakistan players and the officials expect to be rewarded by the government for their two silver medal wins in Asian Games and Champions Trophy last year, which they achieved despite lack of international match experience before the two tournaments.
Despite these great successes, PML-N-led federal government has not released funds to PHF.
The meeting with the PM has been repeatedly postponed during the last five months. The PM is the patron in chief of the PHF.
PHF needs funds immediately for international events to be played by the senior and junior teams.
The seniors are preparing for Rio Olympics 2016 qualifying round to be held in Belgium in June this year.
Pakistan juniors are preparing for Junior Hockey World Cup 2016.
Their training camp has been due for the last couple of months but could not be held due to lack of funds.
All players who won two silver medals in back-to-back international events have not received salaries for last one and a half years.